The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-15
.SHARP'S HEAVYSEN lgACE.
THE ALDRRNAN.BUYER GETS
FOUR YEARS AND A FINE.
Scathisg Arrangement by Judge
BarIett-Sharp's Physical
Suffering.

nights previous, but 1t seemed the
sleep OF utter exhaustion, and he APP
peared to be but little refreshed by 1t |
when he arose this mo ming at 8
O'Clock. His wife sat by bis bedside
through the night tanning him while
be was asleep, and giving him cooling
drinks when he awoke at intervals. |
After he arose from bed che sssisted |
him 10 dress for bis second trip to the
Court OF Oyer and Terminer to re.
ceive sentence. He bore the same
listlees, Indifferent, almost dszed man
ner, noticeable In him since his con-
victiou. He appeared almost uncon-
ecious Of the attention his wife lavished |
on him and scarcely exchanged word |
with her. Sharp remained sitting In |
his reclining chair with his wife be.
side him tanning him until the hour
came at which he was to start for the
courthouse. He had teen able 10
take but little nourishmeat and was
very weak.
BROUGHT INTO COURT.
1t was 1880 o'clock when the car.
risge drove away from the Jail, and
Just twenty minues later Il stopped
before the county courthouse. The
party slighted and passed through the
lane made for them by the police
through the waiting crowd Of curious
spectators 10 the sheriff's Office, and
thence to the courtroom. Sharp was
90 weak that In going to the csrrla 20
from the jail and on leaving II on his
way into the courthouse and up the
stairs TO the court room, II was neces.
cary for the officers guarding him TO
support his lettering form. Judge
Barrett, whose illness yesterday
compelled postponement OF the
sentence Of the convicted man, had
recovered sufficiently today TO be
present In court. He arrived at the
court boute at almost the same
moment as the prisoner. The clock
was indicating almost noon when
Sharp was carried into the courtroom
His suffering wife and son.in.law were
close behind him, and deep lines OF
WEAKNESS and sorrow overspread their
faces a. they seated themselves beside
the convicted man and famed
his livid face without bringing any.
thing like semblance OF color back 10
H. His grandson took the same seat
he occupied during the long trial and
lawyers Nelson, Stickney and Parsons
seated themselves on the right Of their
client, opposite his wife and relatives.
Sharp sat with clssped hands and
bowed head at the foot OF the table
facing the bench. His face, almost
buried In his chest, became flushed
and sickly looking, under the riyeted
gsre OF oil present, who were silently
staring Ut the convicted railroad King.
Mrs. Sharp and the rest OF his family,
Like the prisoner himself. were silent.
NEW TRIAL RKyusHD.
The excitement was becoming quite
ieverish when q sudden hush came
over the room ~ three raps on the
door announced the entrance Of Judge
Barrett, at exactly 1915 o'clock. Alter
calling the court, Mr.. Martin got up
and stated that, a. he heard the dc.
tense had some remarks 10 make, he
wished TO hear them. Mr.. Mitchell re-
sponded, saying that he had no appli.
cation TO put 10 Tor q delay, but would
move Tor new trial, and wished the
stenogIapher 10 make q note Of the
fact. Judge Barrett said that 4 the
document contained nothing new, he
would deny the application Tor new
trial. Mr.. Mitchell then read the pa.
per, stating the trial was an un.
lair one In several ways; the Jury was
prejudic,d against the client, and gave
an uniNir verdict. Moreover, the
Judges charge was an unjust one.
Several other points were raised, but
OF the stereoiyped variety. Judge
Barrett stated tina, the motion would
be denied.
THE SENTENCE.
District Attorney MARITIME then
stood mp to move the court % sentence |
the rsoner. He.t,ted he considered
II bis duty TO ask the court TO appoint 4
ply elcians TO look into the prisonsr's ,
condition Of health. aud read some
certificates from DB, Allen, McHaml.
ton and Janewsy, 10 the effect that
tbs prisoners health was very bad,
and that he vas sufi ring from dlAbetis,
Inflammation Of the Kid ieys and or.
gsnic disesse OF the heart, which were
OF serious import 10 q man OF seventy
years. He then read DIR. Hamiltona
report on the condition OF Sing Sing,
aud the arrangements for the care Of
h.. tAE al tal Ia. IA II .
most excellent character all around,
and the place was most healthlly situ.
a'ed. "ln view Of theee fact" COO.
cluded Mr.. MARITIME, there Ia nothing
LETT for me TO do but move for the
sentence Of the prisoner" Mr..
Mitchell then stood mp 10 make last
appeal for the defendant. He said he
III I not vish 10 delay the court, but
would ask the Judge 10 temper Justice
with mercy. Judge Banet, then pro-
ceeded 10 deliver the sen.
tenoe. He said that he had
never performed 90 dellcae A
task inlhis whole proiessio nal career. He
had received many letters from people
pleading mercy and otherwise, but q
court was not appointed 10 be merci.
idl any more than was dictated by the
laws OF justice. A judge 10 appointed
20 award penalty In accordance 10 the
ohente when all the circumstances
connie ed with the commission Of the
Cherse lave been duly Weighed aud
considered. The defendant here. In
asking Tor mercy, can give nothing an
plea Tor clemenoy but age and sick.
ness. Ga the merits Of tho case he
certainly Il entitled 10 none. II Ia alb.
suid 10 STATE that he was not guilty Of ,
givlngtho brbes ne he was unmistak.
ably the leader OF the whole affair.
We hove rot bere, ne In the clse Of
the aldermen, any attempt 20 prove
the defendants good character. The
crime itself was III enofmors one. The
raising Of half million dollars 10 cor.
rupt hall a Legislature. Judge Barrett
reviewed the couup, action Of the de. /,
lendant In forming bogus company
10 contract with the Seventh avenue
railway, Of which he was a al.
TfTtuF. aud V.faVt.N i